Northern Galapagos - Tuesday to Monday

Our itinerary begins on San Cristobal Island and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Province. On our first afternoon, we visit Cerro Colorado, breeding centre of the islands’ famous giant tortoises amid a fantastic deciduous forest. We sail north overnight, to awake at the sunken caldera of Genovesa Island, a privileged place to visit amid thousands of marine birds. Back in the central islands, on Thursday we learn about Buccaneer Cove’s distant and recent history aboard our inflatable dinghies, before exploring the underwater realm, snorkelling or aboard the glass-bottom boat. Across the way, we disembark at the popular site of Puerto Egas, a great place to see land and marine birds surrounded by a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. Motoring all night, we find ourselves amid the youngest islands of the Galapagos the next day, visiting Punta Espinoza with its amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Later, at Tagus Cove, an uphill hike takes us to the rim of Darwin Crater and some lovely views, followed by an inflatable dinghy ride to spot local wildlife, a swim, kayak or snorkel. We continue our exploration of Isabela Island the following day, at Urbina Bay, the intriguing result of an uplifting of the ocean, home to large and very colourful Galapagos land iguanas, and then at Punta Vicente Roca with its abundant wildlife and, hopefully, sightings of green sea turtles. Sunday sees us anchor to visit the red beach of Rabida Island and its large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. In the afternoon, we visit the north shore of Santa Cruz, host to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), home to land iguanas and with a trail that offers a beautiful view of the bay.

Day 1 - Tuesday

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island): We land at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno’s airport and transfer to the dock. We check in, receive an introductory briefing and have lunch on board.

Galapaguera Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island): At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding centre of the highly-endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard.

Day 2 - Wednesday

Prince Philip’s Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island): Overnight, we navigate northbound to the incredible bird island, Genovesa. The morning starts with an inflatable dinghy ride along the cliffs of this dramatic island, followed by landing with a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs to reach a flat plateau. We can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer inflatable dinghy ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Snorkelling and kayaking.

Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island): We land at the beach for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds.

Day 3 - Thursday

Buccaneer Cove (James/Santiago Island): After breakfast, we enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer’s Cove. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkelling too or ride in our glass-bottom boat.

Puerto Egas (Santiago Island): This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and we can also observe a colony of fur seals.

Day 4 - Friday

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island): We visit the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant.

Tagus Cove (Isabela Island): Across the narrow Bolívar Channel, we anchor at this cove on the northwest of Isabela. It provided a favourite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. An uphill hike takes guests to the rim of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water and to a dramatic viewpoint. After our walk, swimming, kayaking or snorkelling.

Day 5 - Saturday

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island): After breakfast we disembark at Urbina Bay. Here you can find corals, shells and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colourful Galapagos land iguanas. Along the shoreline, after the hike, guests may encounter flightless cormorants and see penguins while snorkelling.

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island): Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy. There is abundant wildlife and, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we’ll be able to snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles.

Day 6 - Sunday

Rabida Island (Jervis Island): We disembark at Rabida Island’s red-coloured beach. A stroll allows us to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, inflatable dinghy ride, kayaking or ride in our glass-bottom boat.

Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island): The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon. Our walk includes circling a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands.

Transit Control Card for Galapagos (US$ 20 per person subject to change without previous notice)**

Wet suits (available for rent)

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages*

Tips

Gifts and additional items

Important notes

Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.

Itineraries and programme are subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons.

Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.

Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore

** At your request, we can include the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of US$ 100 and Migration Control Card Fee of US$ 20 (subject to change). However, please note that, due to administrative and operational reasons, these fees can only be included when guests travel on the operation departure date. This service does not apply for guests who travel before a departure date (even if the departure is with us).